3/17/2013 |
Beavan keeps the heat on in rotation raceAs Spring Training hits its final two-week run, young right-hander Blake Beavan turned up his game in the race for a rotation spot by tossing six strong innings in Sunday's 4-3 win over the Rangers. Beavan, who won 11 games for Seattle last year, gave up just three hits and one run and lowered his Cactus League ERA to 3.86.

3/17/2013 |
Ackley dropped to eighth in orderThough Dustin Ackley was the Mariners' leadoff hitter last season after the trade of Ichiro Suzuki, and spent most of that year hitting first or second, manager Eric Wedge had the young second baseman batting eighth in Sunday's 4-3 victory over the Rangers, and he said that could be a sign of things to come.

3/17/2013 |
Felix throws four frames in Minors gameFelix Hernandez threw four innings of one-run ball on Sunday against a Class A Minor League team from the Reds as the Mariners ace continued working toward Opening Day. Hernandez pitched in the Minor League game at the Peoria Sports Complex rather than face the division-rival Rangers in the Cactus League contest being played at the same time at Peoria Stadium.

3/17/2013 |
Japan not sweating AT&T Park's unique conditionsFor those who haven't played there before, AT&T Park can be a challenge, to say the least. For Japan manager Koji Yamamoto, taking a little bit of time to get acclimated with the dimensions of the unique ballpark is all that was needed.

3/17/2013 |
Pujols happy for countrymen in ClassicIn an ideal world, Albert Pujols would've played for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic this spring. But clearly, he needed to be with the Angels to recover from offseason surgery on his right knee. And even if he wanted to take part, Classic officials wouldn't have secured his contract anyway.

3/17/2013 |
Rodriguez happy to see players seize opportunityWhen he assembled his athletes for the first time on March 4, Puerto Rico manager Edwin Rodriguez stressed the importance of the World Baseball Classic in re-establishing the country's place in the game.

3/17/2013 |
Ryu impresses; Billingsley, Beckett ailingHyun-Jin Ryu's dominant start Sunday was good timing for the Dodgers, who now are dealing with minor ailments for Chad Billingsley and Josh Beckett, not to mention the goal of getting Zack Greinke back into a game.

3/17/2013 |
Vazquez enjoys being along for the rideOne of the most successful pitchers to come out of Puerto Rico, Javier Vazquez is disappointed that a knee injury sustained in winter ball cost him an opportunity to pitch in the World Baseball Classic.

3/17/2013 |
Ross solid but posts high pitch count vs. CubsRangers starter Robbie Ross did not allow a run in his outing against the Cubs on Sunday. The problem was he only lasted three innings and 79 pitches, which earned him a jab from special pitching instructor Greg Maddux, since Ross was aiming for five frames.

3/17/2013 |
Gallo enjoys big league weekend in hometownMinor League infielder Joey Gallo, who is from Las Vegas, gave the hometown fans another thrill on Sunday afternoon at Cashman Field. Gallo started for the Rangers at third base and walked his first two times up. Then, batting with two on in the sixth inning, he crushed a three-run home run over the wall in right field against Cubs pitcher Esmailin Caridad.

3/17/2013 |
Villanueva's next start will be all businessCarlos Villanueva's next start will be on Friday against his former team, the Brewers, and hopefully they'll understand if he doesn't say hello before the game. He believes that players from opposing teams should not mingle on the field.

3/17/2013 |
Volstad enjoys success in 'B' game actionRockies non-roster right-handed pitching staff hopeful Chris Volstad helped his cause with two scoreless innings on Sunday in an 8-5 victory over the White Sox in a "B" game at Glendale, Ariz.

3/17/2013 |
Japan bows out gracefully in first Classic exitThe Japanese didn't have the arms to shut down their opponents when they needed to the most, and their vaunted fundamentals broke down a couple of times in their final game of the tournament.

3/17/2013 |
Vaya con Rios: Puerto Rico KOs two-time champThe sun set for Japan in a tournament full of upsets and surprises on Sunday as Puerto Rico won, 3-1, at AT&T Park on the strength of a two-run homer by Alex Rios, sending the Puerto Ricans on to the championship game on Tuesday.

3/17/2013 |
Escobar plays in Minor League scrimmageRoyals shortstop Alcides Escobar, eager to return from a stiff back, played in a Minor League game for Class A Wilmington on Sunday while pitcher James Shields got a workout.

3/17/2013 |
Berry experiences left knee soreness vs. NatsA week after Quintin Berry returned to the Tigers outfield mix from left knee patellar tendinitis, the left-handed hitting speedster left Sunday's game against the Nationals with left knee soreness.

3/17/2013 |
Leyland discusses upcoming roster cutsTigers manager Jim Leyland likes to say in many Spring Trainings that he can get a read on a lot of players trying to make the team by how they react when more cuts are made and the clubhouse starts emptying out.

3/17/2013 |
Smyly struggles with offspeed pitches vs. NatsDrew Smyly struck out five of the 12 hitters he faced through his first three innings, changed speeds effectively and looked as he has for most of this spring. Once the offspeed pitches started hanging, the bottom fell out in a hurry.